In effort to protect children, France bans smoking at parks and beaches

A growing number of Americans who’ve avoided vaccines are now facing the harsh consequences—catching illnesses like measles or whooping cough that could’ve been easily prevented. This isn’t just about personal choice; it’s affecting entire communities, especially kids too young to be vaccinated.

Editor’s Note: Vaccines have been one of modern medicine’s biggest success stories, but skepticism and misinformation are chipping away at that progress. When vaccination rates drop, diseases we thought were under control come roaring back—and real people pay the price. This isn’t just a debate; it’s a wake-up call about how quickly progress can unravel.

Families who lost loved ones in care homes during the pandemic shared heartbreaking testimony at the UK's Covid inquiry, describing the deaths as a "slaughter" and expressing deep, unresolved grief over how their relatives were failed.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about accountability—it’s about raw, personal pain that hasn’t faded. The inquiry is exposing systemic failures in elder care during Covid, and these testimonies make it impossible to ignore the human cost of those mistakes. For families, it’s a chance to be heard; for the public, it’s a stark reminder of why pandemic policies need scrutiny.

If you're on the hunt for comfy, reliable walking shoes without the hassle of store hopping, this roundup has you covered. NBC Select editors and experts picked top-rated sneakers from trusted brands like Hoka and ASICS—all conveniently available on Amazon.

Editor’s Note: Let's face it—finding the right walking shoes can be a chore, especially when you're sifting through endless options online. This list cuts through the noise by highlighting expert-approved picks, saving you time and guesswork. Whether you're a daily walker or just need supportive kicks, it’s a practical guide for anyone looking to step up their comfort game.

Turns out, getting creaky and achy as we age might not be as inevitable as we thought. A fresh study challenges the old idea that inflammation is just a standard side effect of aging—instead, it hints that our surroundings (think pollution, stress, or lifestyle) could be the real culprits behind those fiery joints and sluggish recovery.

Editor’s Note: If this study holds up, it flips the script on how we view aging. Instead of shrugging off chronic inflammation as "just part of getting older," we might have more power to fight it by tweaking our environments or habits. That’s hopeful news for anyone planning to stay spry well into their golden years.

The Supreme Court has wiped out lower court rulings that protected transgender rights in four states, effectively siding with recent decisions like Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. This move signals a shift in the legal landscape for transgender individuals, particularly youth, as state-level restrictions gain judicial backing.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just a procedural cleanup—it’s a clear signal that the Court is letting state-level restrictions on transgender healthcare stand, at least for now. For advocates, it’s a setback that could embolden more states to push similar bans. For families and transgender youth, it adds uncertainty to an already fraught fight over medical care and civil rights. The ripple effects could shape policies far beyond these four states.